Pamtas Task Force Fails To Smuggle 15 Adult Children To Malaysia To Become Illegal Migrant Workers

BALIKPAPAN - Border Security Task Force (Pamtas Task Force) Medan Artillery Battalion (YoNARmed) 11/Kostrad rescued 15 children and 42 adults who wanted to be infiltrated for illegal employment in Malaysia

"We received information that there was a fast boat from Nunukan to Sebatik, loaded with passengers of prospective illegal Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI)," said the Commander of the Pamtas Yonarmed 11 Kostrad Task Force, Lt. Col. Arm Gde Adhy Surya Mahendra in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan Province, quoted from Antara, Friday, February 21.

Following up on this information, Dantim Bais TNI coordinated with the Pamtas Yonarmed 11 Kostrad Task Force to conduct checks in the field, by placing soldiers of the Joint Task Force Team at several strategic points.

Soldiers were deployed to inspect vehicles passing at designated locations and found five cars carrying illegal PMI candidates, then checking the identity of passengers in the car.

The operation was carried out at the T-junction of Bugis Village, Bambangan Village, West Sebatik District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan Province, and further investigations were carried out at the Bambangan Post.

"The soldiers managed to thwart the smuggling of 57 illegal PMI candidates who will be dispatched to Tawau, Malaysia, consisting of 15 children and 42 adults," he explained.

After the examination process was carried out, he continued, all the illegal PMI candidates were handed over to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) of Nunukan Regency for further handling.

"We appreciate the cooperation of the team that succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of illegal PMI candidates," he said.

The TNI, he stressed again, continues to increase surveillance and patrols to prevent illegal activities in the border area of the Indonesian-Malaysia country.

TNI soldiers are committed to maintaining the security of the country's border areas, protecting the public from human trafficking practices and smuggling illegal migrant workers.

"With the operation carried out by the Pamtas Yonarmed 11/Kostrad Task Force, it is hoped that it will provide a deterrent effect on smugglers and provide protection for Indonesian citizens who want to work abroad legally and safely," said Gde Adhy Surya Mahendra.